Automatic liquid-weigher



(No Model.) i v 3 SheetsS heet 1.

" G. A. HANNA 85 T. A. SWANSON.

AUTOMATIC LIQUID WEIGHER.

No. 580,455. Patented Apr. 13,-1897.

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' G. A. HANNA. & T

' A TTTTTTT 0 LIQU Patented Apr. 13, 1897.

3 SheefisSheet 2.

. A. SWANSON. IIIIIIII R. 7 No. 580,455.

(No Model.) I v I v 4 3 Sheets-SheetB.

V G. A. HANNA & T. A. SWANSON.

AUTOMATIC LIQUID EIGHER.

morssoAss. PatentdApr. 13,1897.

'creamery.

A'-rEs -ATENT OFFICE.

AUTOMATIC LlQUlD -WElG-HER.

. SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent l l'o. 580,455,:lated April 13, 1897.

Application filed August 24,1896. Serial No. 658,684.. Go model.)

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that we, GEORGE A. HANNA and THEODORE A. SWANSON, citizens of the United States, residing at Whittemore, in the county of Kossuth and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Liquid-Weighers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in an apparatus to be used for automatically weighingliquids, and .while it is more especially designed to be used at creameries for weighing and delivering skimmed milk to the patrons thereof, yet it is applicable forother liquids; and it consistsin certain peculiarities of the construction, novel arrangement, and operation of the various parts thereof, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth and specifically claimed.

it is generally the custom at creameries to deposit the milk received from the farmers or dairymen into a receiving-tank and to note the number of pounds of milk received from each individual, and after the process of separating the milk from the cream to deliver .to each dairymau or farmer his pro rata of skimmed milk or a certain per cent. of the entire quantity which he has delivered to the In other words, the proprietors of the creameries deduct a predetermined amount or percent-age fromthe gross weight of the milk received by them, which percentage represents the amount of cream from said quantity.

'loweigh and deliver to the patrons of the creamery the skimmed milk has heretofore been a task of considerable diflicult-y, requir i'ng much time and labor; and it is therefore the objects of our invention, first, to provide a weigher which shall be simple and inexa pensivein construction, strong, durable, accurate, and reliable in operation, and, second, such a weigher which by reason of the peculiar'construction and operation of its parts will automatically weigh and deliver themilk' or liquid. 1

Another and one of the main objects of our invention is to so arrange theweigher that it will be inaccessible to the person who is to receive the skimmed milk, but may be readily operated and controlled by the insertion of a suitable check or piece into a grooved sliding I bar, thus preventing the apparatus being GEORGE A. HANNA AND THEODORE aswkrvsbir, QFzWHiTTEMQ'RE, row-A.

tampered-with and allowing-the patron the.

exact'quantity. of lllllk or liquid due him. In order to enable others skilled in the art to which our invention pertains to make and use the same, wewill' now proceed to describe it, referring to the accompanyingdrawings;

in which-- I 'Figure 1 is a view in side elevatiom partly' in section, of our weigher,showing the parts in the position they will occupy whenthe vessel is empty. is a longitudinal fragmental view, foreshortenedfor the convenience of illustration, of

Fig. afis'aplan view. Fig. 3

the grooved'sliding bar, a. portion of one of i the securing-levers therefor, and parts of the ejector and guard for the controlling checks -or pieces, and also a portion of the weightmover. Fig. 4 is a plan view of a portion ofthe grooved sliding bar, showing it foreshortened for the convenience of illustration. Fig.-

5 is a like view of a portion of one ofthe securinglevers. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional'view,

taken on line 6 6 of Fig. '4, showingt-hegrooved sliding bar with one of the controlling checks or pieces located in said groove. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the controlling checks or pieces. Fig.18 is an inverted perspective view of a portion of the guard for-the controlling-checks. Fig'. 9 is a similar view checks, and Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the inlet-valve and a portion of the lever for operating the same.

Similar letters refer to like parts throughout the different views of the drawings. 3

A represents a portion of the wall ofa room or other suitable support, uponwhich .the weigher is mounted. To the wall or support A and ata proper distance apart are secured the rectangular brackets A and A", on the upper surfaces of the outer ends. of which are secured suitable blocks a, which may have their upper surfaces formed with V-shaped grooves to receive similarly-shaped. projecof a portion of the ejector forthe cont-rollingtions on the rocking shaft B. The rocking one end of the shaft B is rigidly fixed a collar 45 A rocking shaft B to which is fixed near the C on the beam O, which is pivotally con-' ncctcd near its other end by means of links c to the ad j usting-bcam which is provided with a scale of graduating-marks c of any dosire'ddenomination. On the bracket A are vertically secured uprights or standards D,

which are provided in their upper ends with located counterbalancing-weights 0 each of which isprovided with a thumb-screw c for securing it at the desired place to counterbalance the weight of the vessel B, which,

, as before stated, is suspended on the arms b of-the rocking shaft B. On the adjustingbeam C is movably located an indicator G which is provided in its upperportion with a thumb-screw ctfor fixing the same at any desired point on the beam, and is provided in its'lower part with a pin 0 on which is pivotally secured a hanger c, which engages with the upper end of the rod E, the lower end of which rod is formed with a hook to engage the ring 8, pivotally secured on the weighing-beam E, provided with a series of nation.

graduating-marks e of any suitable denomi-- On-the weighing-beam E is placed a sliding weight E on each side of which is a projection e to engage the weight-mover E", as will be presently explained. The bracket A is supported by means of two ogee-curved braces E inwhich the weighing-beam E is fnlcrumed, as at c in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Secured to the braces E and extending horizontally just below the fulcrum-point of the weighing-beam are two parallel bars F, which are connected at their free ends with a U- "shaped piece f and act as a guideway or track for the weight-mover and grooved sliding bar.

. Extending across the brackets A and A and having its bearings thereon is another bracket A by means of a set-screw g a lever G, to the free end of which is connected a tierod g, which engages at its lower end with a gravity-valve G, whose seat q is formed in the bottom of the vessel and communicates with an outlet-pipe G which may be sup ported in any suitable manner and extends through'the wall A of the room, at which point it may be provided'with a cock or valve (not shown)to control the fiow of the liquid therethrough.

v,Aebout the middle of the rocking shaft 13 is lix'ed an elbow-lever G whose' upturned or free end extends into the inlet-pipe G which is located above the vessel B and is provided controlling checks or pieces.

is pivotally secured one end of a rod or bar H, the other, end of which is pivotally connected to a lever 11*, which is pivotally secured at its lower end on one of the bracesE, and carries a pin or projection h to engage the weighted detent h, which is pivotally secured on one of the bars F and engages av recess 1' in the lower surface of the sliding bar I and prevents said bar from being drawn outward until the vessel B is emptied. At the juncture of the rod or bar H and lever 11 is pivotally secured one end of a securing-lever 11 which is provided near its other end with a pin or projection h which normally rests on the upper surface of the sliding bar I and engages the recess it" therein. Connected to the free end of the'lever 1-1 is a rod h", whose upper end is pivotally secured to one arm h of a com-.

pound lever h, which is fulcrumed on one of the braces E and is actuated by means of the spring h, secured at one of its ends to said brace and at the other end to the lever. The arm or compound lever 72, has pivotally secured thereto at one end a rod W, the other end of which rod is movably secured on the rod or bar H by means of a bracket 71, which permits of some longitudinal and vertical movement of the rod h in the movement of the compound and securing levers.

As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the bar II is connected to the bracket A by means of a spring II, which normally retracts said rod to the position indicated in the last-named figure of the drawings. The-inner upper portion of the sliding bar I is provided with a longitudinal groove 1, which is preferably made V-shaped in cross-section and is adapted to receive the controlling checks or pieces L, which are made of metal and preferably V-shaped in cross-section to correspond with the shape of the groove in-the sliding bar. The upper surface of the sliding bar I is provided at its inner end with an upwardly-inclined enlargement I and the lower part of said end is formed with a rectangular projection I to engage and actuate the mover E for the weight E on the weighing-beam. Just above the sliding barI and pivotally secured to the bracket A or otherwise, at oneof their ends, are the guard Maud ejector N for the The guard M is provided at its free endwith a downwardlyinclined plate m, having on its lower surface a projection m, which is V-shaped in crosssection,or of such shape to correspond with the hollow or shape of the controlling-pieces when said pieces are of other form than V- shaped in cross-section. The free end of the ejector N is formed or provided with a downwardly-inclined plate n, which normally rests ,on the upper surface of the sliding bar and controlling pieces until the bar is drawn for-' 580,455 g i e which islocated at a convenient place toreceive them.

By reference to Figs. 1 and 3of thedrawings it will be observed that the guard M and ejector N-lie parallel with one another, and that the guard is somewhat shorter than the ejector, and the projection 'm thereof will rest and travel within the V-shaped groove of the controlling checks or pieces and of the sliding bar, Located on the horizontal tracks or harsh and extending crosswise thereof are the mov able guides and O, which form a part of the weight-mover and encompass transversely These guides are connectedthe sliding bar.

, near their ends and on each side of the weight E by means of the-weight-move'r pieces E which extend upwardly, and are provided with flaring openings E for the reception and 'operation of the pins or projections e on-eaoh sideof the weight E on the weighing-beam.

' Ihe guideO is substantially in the form of a rectangular collar or band and completely encircles the bars or tracks F and the sliding bar I, while the guide 0' is in the form ofa three sides of a rectangular collar or band i I. the pieces E is a U-shaped piece P, which and encompasses the bars F and sliding .bar I at'their top'aud sides only, thus leaving the bottom of said guide open, through which the projection I on the sliding beam may pass.

Pivotally secured to the lower portion of rides on the sliding bar in the progress of the weight-mover, and its front portionforms an abutment for the end of the controllin g-pieces, as shown by dotted lines in Fig; f the drawings, yet will be raised by reason of the in clin'ed portion I of the sliding bar, so as to allow of the ejectineut of the checks or controlling-pieces. These checks or controllin gpieees, may be made of any suitablesize and.

rnateriaiand in any desired numbers, and may be kept in a case with compartments arrangedfor their reception, and' may be v numbered toindicate the number of pounds of milk to be delivered.

The operation of our invention is simple and as follows: The weights of the beams O may be adjusted to counterbalance the weight of the vessel 13, and the indicator 0 placed atthe proper point to indicate the percentage to be deducted from the gross amount of milk received. The sliding bar I isthen drawn outwardly through an opening in "the wall A until the -groove therein is exposed, which operation will through themediurn of the weight-mover E move the weight on the.

weighing-beam to the cipher-'mark,- thus balancing the scales. One of the controllingchecks may then be placed in, the groove 1 in the sliding bar and the bar then forced in- A wardly through the opening in'thewall, which operation .will cause the inner'end of. the controlling-check to abut against the piece P on the weight-mover-and move the weight to a pointon the weighing beam' to correspond withthe number of pounds indicated on the controlling-check. In sliding the bar gage the recess e" in the upper surface of the sliding bar, and as the lever H is connected to the bar H and lever H will draw them forward, thus raising the elbow-lever G which operates the valve G in the inlet-pipe G and at the same time will-lower the lever; G,

to which is suspended the valve G, and'elese;

the outlet. The liquid will now flowinto the vessel until a'sufiicient quantity thereof is deposited therein to cause the weightingbeam to tip at its rear end, which operation 1 forward the pin 71. on the lever H will eni.

will release the arm h of the compound lever] from the catch e on the weighing bearu, when the spring b will retract the lever h? and through the medium of the rod 71 raise the pin h on the securinglever li from its recess in the sliding bar.

In the above-described operation as soon as the rod or bar H and lever H are drawn. forward the dog or'detent It will be disen- .gaged from the pin h on the lever I1? andwill rest on the lower surfaceof the sliding bar until it engages the recessi therein, thus preventing the slidin g bar being drawn outwardly. As soon as the pin 73 on the securlug-lever H is released from its catch t" in the sliding bar the springHt will. retract the bar H and lever H 130 the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings and thus raise the outlet-valve G and close the inletvalve G and at the same time disengage the detent h from the sliding bar. When the milk thus having been weighed shall have been delivered from the vessel, the sliding bar may again be drawn outwardly, when the inclined plate n" on the the weight-mover forward on the tracks therefor. The projection'm on the inclined plate m of the guard M will rest within the groove or hollow of the controllingepiece L, when the same is in the groove of the sliding bar, and will prevent a'check of any other form being the grooved sliding bar. The projection of the guard will travel back and forth within the groove, as is apparent. v I

Having thus fully described our invention,

. what we claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In an automatic liquid-weig'her, the combination with the supporting-frame, of a rock:

ing shaftmounted thereon, a vessel counter-Q poised on said shaft and having an outletvalve in its lower part, a scaleor weighing beam adjustably secured on and suspended [20 'usedafter the check has been ejected from from the counterpoise or'adjusting beam, a

bi-nation with the supporting-frame, of a rockvalves, substantially ing shaft mounted thereon, a vessel counterpoised on said shaft and having an outletvalve in its lower part, a scale or Weighing beam adjustablysecured on and suspended from the oounterpoise or adjusting beam, a movable weight on the weighingbeam, a grooved sliding bar having means to engage and move said weight, the'latter adapted to be operated by checks of variable lengths, and a mechanism to alternately and simultaneously open and close the inlet and outlet as described.

3. In an automatic liquid-weigher, the conibination with the supporting-frame, of a rocking shaft mounted thereon, a vessel counterpoised on said shaft and having an outletvalve in its lower part, a scale or weighing beam adjustably secured on and suspended from the counterpoise or adjusting beam, a movable weight on the weighing-beam, a sliding bar-having a longitudinal V-shaped groove and means to engage and move the said weight, the latter adapted to be operated by V shaped checks of variable lengths, substan tially as described.

4. The combination with the'supportingframe, of a rockingshaft mounted thereon,

and having arms or projections, a vessel pivotally secured on said arms, and having an outlet-valve in its lower part, a counterpoisebeam rigidly connected to' the rocking shaft, a scale or weighing beam adjustabl y secured on the counterpoise-beam and suspended.

' therefrom, a movable weight. on the weighing beam, an inlet-valvelocated above the vessel,

a second rocking shaft journaled on the supporting-frame, levers on said shaft to raise the inlet and outlet valves alternately and simultaneously, a grooved sliding barhaving-means to engage and move the weight on the weighing-beam, the. weight adapted to be operated by checks of variable lengths, a connection uniting the sliding bar, and the second rocking shaft, substantially as described.

5. The combination in an automatic liquidweigher, of a counterpoised vessel, with a weighing-beam suspended from the counterpoise-beam, a movable weight on the weighing-beam, a sliding bar having a longitudinal groove in its uppersurface andmeans to move said weight, the latter adapted to be operated by checks of variable lengths, and an ejector for the controlling-check pit otally secured so as to rest on the upper surface of the sliding bar, substantially as described. 6. The combination with a weighing-beam, of a movable weight thereon, a grooved sliding bar located near the weighing-beam, and having means to move the weight thereon, the weight adapted to be operated by checks of variable lengths, substantially as described. 7. The combination with aweighing-beam, of a movable weight thereon, a grooved sliding bar located nearthe weighing-beam, and

having means to move the weight on said beam, the weightadapted to be operated by checks of variable lengths, and an ejector to remove the check from the groove of the sliding bar, substantially as described.

8. The combination witha weighing-beam, of a movable weight thereon, a grooved sliding bar located near said beam, and having means to move saidweight, the latter adapted to be operated by grooved checks of variable lengths, and a guard pivotally secured so asto rest on the upper surface of the sliding bar, and hay'iu g a projection to correspond in shape with and fit intothe groove of the controlling check or piece, substantially as described.

9. The combination with a weighing-beam, of a movable weight thereon, a grooved sliding bar having means to engage and move said weight, the latter adapted to be operated by grooved checks of variable lengths, an ejector and a guard pivotally secured so as to rest on the upper surface of the-sliding bar, the said guard having a projection to correspond in shape with and to fit controlling-piece, substantially as described.

GEORGE A. HANNA. THEODORE A. SXVA'NSON,

lVit nesses:

C. B. HOLDRIGE, JOHN NEWMAN.

into the groove of the 5 

